The drugs that is (some of them)!
We had to order a bunch of our IVF medications (the injectables) from London. I picked the package up yesterday at the post office. CRAZY.
I read over the inserted documents, which basically only told me two things.
1. These drugs cause side effects including, but not limited to, migraines (I already get those), moodiness (check), bloating, nausea, tenderness, etc
*I have most of these side effects already...and I am not even on these drugs :)
2. These drugs can lead to multiple births (i.e. twins, triplets)
*Not sure why they had to add the example of twins and triplets (i.e. anyone taking these drugs already knows their increased chances of conceiving multiple births). One website I read actually said "You will have a 10 to 40 percent chance of conceiving twins or more with these fertility drugs". Ahhh...splendid.
We are counting down the days until we start our process (approximately 18 days) and it is quickly becoming real. I get more excited the closer we get to the start date. And now my nerves are kicking in.
One of the things I am a little (a lot) concerned about are the injections. I know we will get all the information and instructions we need to do this ourselves, but I am not really sure my steady (shaky) hands are capable of sticking a needle in my body everyday. And I am definitely not sure Brandon's gag reflect can tolerate injections. If nothing else, I expect comedy from the situation....and maybe a little pain.
Brandon has been a real trooper through all of this so far. I know he has some anxieties about the upcoming weeks, too, but he has handled it well. In typical southern style, I have to give him a preemptive "Bless His Heart".... because he is getting ready to have to deal with a woman who is not his normal wife. Once these medications are started, I will most likely turn into a she-beast...all hopped up on hormones and emotionally dysfunctional. Bless his heart, I know he will be amazing, as usual.
We consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to try IVF. I always think about what couples did 30 years ago in this situation. I would assume they were told they could never have children and that was that. We know it's a blessing to have the technology available to give us a shot at IVF. We are hoping and praying things work out for the best.
It makes me laugh (nervously) to think that we may not even have a clue, at this moment, what the "best" situation might be for us. Who knows where this process takes us....all I know it that in the end, one way or another, we will be parents. Whether it be from a child I carry or one we are blessed with through adoption, either way.... I am ready. I know Brandon will be an amazing father and together we will make great parents.
Please keep your fingers crossed for us. Eighteen days (approximately) from now we start a new chapter in our lives. One we feel positive about! We are ready! I just hope the journey is ready for us!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Just a little behind the times....
I have been telling myself for months (years) it was time to get a new phone. My old phone, known from this point on as "Old Faithful" had been with me for many many years. I can't remember how many, maybe 4 or 5 years? Maybe more? It looked just like the one below, but it was blue.
I can't be completely certain (as it's hard for me to remember last week, much less several years ago), but I think I may have gotten this phone for free when I switched from U.S. Cellular to Verizon. And that was probably 5 years ago.
Anywho.....
Yesterday a co-worker told me about a deal through Best Buy. If you are up for a new 2 year contract with your service provider (which I was), signing a new contract at Best Buy can get you a really really nice phone.....for FREE! You will still have service through your regular provider and your contract will generally stay the same, you just get to take advantage of a really great offer.
For instance.....you might be able to get a $500 phone.....For FREE! A really fancy one....like this......
Yep, that's me....updating my facebook status from my phone. It's like I went from the streets to the red carpet (in phones...obviously). My old phone didn't even have games...this phone has about two million apps for games. My old phone pratically had a rotary dial, this new one....Touch Screen.
Sure...I might be getting a little big for my britches, but I need bigger britches....to hold my new, giant, awesome, super sweet, high-tech, entertainment device, otherwise known as my cellular phone. Scratch that....Smart Phone.
I now have the world at my fingertips....and it's a bit scary! It's so nice that I am entering into the 21st century....about 11 years too late!
I can't be completely certain (as it's hard for me to remember last week, much less several years ago), but I think I may have gotten this phone for free when I switched from U.S. Cellular to Verizon. And that was probably 5 years ago.
Anywho.....
Yesterday a co-worker told me about a deal through Best Buy. If you are up for a new 2 year contract with your service provider (which I was), signing a new contract at Best Buy can get you a really really nice phone.....for FREE! You will still have service through your regular provider and your contract will generally stay the same, you just get to take advantage of a really great offer.
For instance.....you might be able to get a $500 phone.....For FREE! A really fancy one....like this......
Yep, that's me....updating my facebook status from my phone. It's like I went from the streets to the red carpet (in phones...obviously). My old phone didn't even have games...this phone has about two million apps for games. My old phone pratically had a rotary dial, this new one....Touch Screen.
Sure...I might be getting a little big for my britches, but I need bigger britches....to hold my new, giant, awesome, super sweet, high-tech, entertainment device, otherwise known as my cellular phone. Scratch that....Smart Phone.
I now have the world at my fingertips....and it's a bit scary! It's so nice that I am entering into the 21st century....about 11 years too late!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Late December
This has been my greatest ally for the past week......
Not to mention.....
Brandon and I have both been suffering from winter colds and sinuses. Thankfully...I think the both of us are on the recovering end!
My best friend, JoElla, and her husband Ryan are home in TN from the Peace Corps. We are so excited to have them here. It has been fun catching up! We had an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party on Thursday night and got lots of friends together to celebrate them coming home!
(I really should have moved the dog crate for the photo)
They will head back to Mexico in just over a week, so we will have to get in as much "fun" time as we can between now and then!
Brandon and I have had a wonderful Christmas. We are missing being with his family in Chicago this year, but enjoyed watching our new niece experience her first Christmas.
We hope you and your family had an amazing Christmas! Here's to the New Year! We have big hopes and desires for 2011! Hope you do, too!
Not to mention.....
Brandon and I have both been suffering from winter colds and sinuses. Thankfully...I think the both of us are on the recovering end!
My best friend, JoElla, and her husband Ryan are home in TN from the Peace Corps. We are so excited to have them here. It has been fun catching up! We had an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party on Thursday night and got lots of friends together to celebrate them coming home!
(I really should have moved the dog crate for the photo)
They will head back to Mexico in just over a week, so we will have to get in as much "fun" time as we can between now and then!
Brandon and I have had a wonderful Christmas. We are missing being with his family in Chicago this year, but enjoyed watching our new niece experience her first Christmas.
We hope you and your family had an amazing Christmas! Here's to the New Year! We have big hopes and desires for 2011! Hope you do, too!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Just call me Little Joyce
Last night we got about a tenth of an inch of ice. So, naturally, this morning I went outside to "pre-heat" my car. I lightly touched my foot to the top step of our 3 brick steps on our front porch. I was feeling it out....testing the ice- as some would say. As I stepped down, my foot went flying out from under me and before I knew it I was in flight. I landed, hard, on the bottom brick step. Had I landed on my wrist or arm I can almost guarantee I would have broken a bone (again). Luckily (some would say) my large and cushy behind absorbed the impact.
This is probably one of the few times in my life I have been thankful for an extremely plump derriere. My right butt check broke my fall and I landed directly on the edge of the stair. I know I hit other parts of my body, including my back, but the screaming pain from my right cheek was hogging all the attention.
I cried...I always cry when I get hurt. So there I was.....sprawled half way in my driveway. Frozen. Because it was cold and my bottom was sitting on ice. AND because I was internally assessing the damage to my body. I had worn house slippers for my simple task. Slippers that were no where near my feet as they were now flung 4 feet from where my body lay. At first I was thankful my neighbors were not out to see it (so embarrassing). Then I was wishing someone would have seen it because I didn't know how I was going to get up. I also figured if someone had witnessed the fall, they would say "Oh my gosh, I bet that hurt", then I wouldn't feel so bad about crying.
Barefoot, crying, laying in my driveway. Hair all a mess, glasses on, in sweats and a long sleeve t-shirt. Crying. Did I mention it hurt so bad I was crying? It's no wonder we can't keep our neighbors (please see last post). I couldn't get up on my feet, because I didn't have shoes on. I tried to scoot across the ice to my shoes, but I had sat there long enough that my sweatpants were stuck to the ice. Nice. I eventually came to the decision that crawling was going to be my safest route. So I crawled on my hands and knees to my shoes.
Once back on my feet I held onto my sore butt and whimpered back into the house. I didn't even start my car. I had to regroup first. Eventually the car got started and warmed and I cautiously held my behind and side stepped across the drive way back to the safety of my garage. When I came outside to actually leave for work, I opted out of going down the steps and instead when through the flower bed and walked through the yard. No need to cause any more damage to my bum.
And, yes, I caused some damage to my bum. I have a whelp the size of a nurf football on my right butt cheek. I can hardly walk or sit down without soreness. And now, 3 1/2 hours after the accident, my bottom is already black and blue.
Ladies....if you are looking for a way to add plumpness to your derriere, just fall on ice. It will swell up really nicely. I, on the other hand, am not in the market for a larger butt (trust me), I am just lacking in grace. Just like my incredible mother, I am accident prone. A walking hazard, if you will. Just call me Little Joyce!
I love you Mama! Looks like I have inherited more than just your physical beauty and mental stamina! I, too, am an accident waiting to happen!
This is probably one of the few times in my life I have been thankful for an extremely plump derriere. My right butt check broke my fall and I landed directly on the edge of the stair. I know I hit other parts of my body, including my back, but the screaming pain from my right cheek was hogging all the attention.
I cried...I always cry when I get hurt. So there I was.....sprawled half way in my driveway. Frozen. Because it was cold and my bottom was sitting on ice. AND because I was internally assessing the damage to my body. I had worn house slippers for my simple task. Slippers that were no where near my feet as they were now flung 4 feet from where my body lay. At first I was thankful my neighbors were not out to see it (so embarrassing). Then I was wishing someone would have seen it because I didn't know how I was going to get up. I also figured if someone had witnessed the fall, they would say "Oh my gosh, I bet that hurt", then I wouldn't feel so bad about crying.
Barefoot, crying, laying in my driveway. Hair all a mess, glasses on, in sweats and a long sleeve t-shirt. Crying. Did I mention it hurt so bad I was crying? It's no wonder we can't keep our neighbors (please see last post). I couldn't get up on my feet, because I didn't have shoes on. I tried to scoot across the ice to my shoes, but I had sat there long enough that my sweatpants were stuck to the ice. Nice. I eventually came to the decision that crawling was going to be my safest route. So I crawled on my hands and knees to my shoes.
Once back on my feet I held onto my sore butt and whimpered back into the house. I didn't even start my car. I had to regroup first. Eventually the car got started and warmed and I cautiously held my behind and side stepped across the drive way back to the safety of my garage. When I came outside to actually leave for work, I opted out of going down the steps and instead when through the flower bed and walked through the yard. No need to cause any more damage to my bum.
And, yes, I caused some damage to my bum. I have a whelp the size of a nurf football on my right butt cheek. I can hardly walk or sit down without soreness. And now, 3 1/2 hours after the accident, my bottom is already black and blue.
Ladies....if you are looking for a way to add plumpness to your derriere, just fall on ice. It will swell up really nicely. I, on the other hand, am not in the market for a larger butt (trust me), I am just lacking in grace. Just like my incredible mother, I am accident prone. A walking hazard, if you will. Just call me Little Joyce!
I love you Mama! Looks like I have inherited more than just your physical beauty and mental stamina! I, too, am an accident waiting to happen!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Not Mr. (and Mrs.) Rogers
It's official (unofficially).
Brandon and I must be terrible neighbors.
In the three years I have lived here (Brandon has been here for about 5 years) we have had two different sets of neighbors to the right, two sets of neighbors directly across the street, and now....the second set of neighbors to the left has a For Sale sign in their yard. Looks like we will be welcoming left side neighbors number 3.
(please note this is not a house in our neighborhood....in case you wanted to try your luck at being our neighbors)
I can't help but take it personally. The housing market has been so bad....but does not seem to affect those living closest to us.
Maybe it is our late-night raves? Brandon's 3AM motorcycle burn-outs? Or outside dogs that bark all night long? (We don't really do these things....at least not often)
I mean, seriously, how could you not want to live next to this family? We are anything but normal, but we can not possibly be THAT bad!
Brandon and I must be terrible neighbors.
In the three years I have lived here (Brandon has been here for about 5 years) we have had two different sets of neighbors to the right, two sets of neighbors directly across the street, and now....the second set of neighbors to the left has a For Sale sign in their yard. Looks like we will be welcoming left side neighbors number 3.
(please note this is not a house in our neighborhood....in case you wanted to try your luck at being our neighbors)
I can't help but take it personally. The housing market has been so bad....but does not seem to affect those living closest to us.
Maybe it is our late-night raves? Brandon's 3AM motorcycle burn-outs? Or outside dogs that bark all night long? (We don't really do these things....at least not often)
I mean, seriously, how could you not want to live next to this family? We are anything but normal, but we can not possibly be THAT bad!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Your "stuff" is in the mail
This morning I called the doctors office and let them know Brandon and I were prepared to start our IVF process in January. When we went to meet our doctor and had our consultation a couple of months ago, they told us to call approximately one month before we were ready to get the process rolling (we are about a month away). The receptionist informed me she would order my "stuff" and let me know once that was taken care of.
I was nervous to make that phone call this morning. I was supposed to call yesterday, but put it off another day because I couldn't bring myself to sit still long enough, gather my thoughts, and dial the phone. It makes me giddy to think that this time next month we could be counting down days and marking them off our calendar (not that I don't do that now). At the same time I am surprised that it took me 24 hours to dial a phone. I have stared at Wednesday, December 8th on my calendar for several weeks. Stared at the highlighted words that read "Contact Dr to get squared away for 01/11". For several weeks I looked at those words, knowing that was the day that I would officially say "Let's get this ball rolling"....yet it still took me a little extra time to make the call.
So I told the receptionist we were ready. She informed me they would order my "stuff" and they would call me back once that was done. My "stuff". My stuff. I don't even remember what my stuff will consist of....but I can't wait for it to come in. Like a late Christmas present, this stuff will bring us the hope of our own family. This time next year this stuff may result in a baby on the way. We have waited so long (feels like forever for me), I am praying for continued patience. I know we can make it one more month. Now I will wait for the phone call that says our "stuff" has arrived. While we wait, I will be grateful for the hope that will arrive along with our "stuff".
January....so close I can practically touch it. We are ready for the new year and for all the changes we know it brings our lives.
Also...I promise this isn't a blog about infertility, but it is a blog about our lives....and this is what eats up a lot of us right now. If you don't like the infertility posts, I apologize....but be prepared for more of them in the coming months as our lives venture farther down this path.
*Our Stuff- this will probably consist of hormone shots and birth control and whatever other goodies they plan to pump into my body over the next couple of months.
I was nervous to make that phone call this morning. I was supposed to call yesterday, but put it off another day because I couldn't bring myself to sit still long enough, gather my thoughts, and dial the phone. It makes me giddy to think that this time next month we could be counting down days and marking them off our calendar (not that I don't do that now). At the same time I am surprised that it took me 24 hours to dial a phone. I have stared at Wednesday, December 8th on my calendar for several weeks. Stared at the highlighted words that read "Contact Dr to get squared away for 01/11". For several weeks I looked at those words, knowing that was the day that I would officially say "Let's get this ball rolling"....yet it still took me a little extra time to make the call.
So I told the receptionist we were ready. She informed me they would order my "stuff" and they would call me back once that was done. My "stuff". My stuff. I don't even remember what my stuff will consist of....but I can't wait for it to come in. Like a late Christmas present, this stuff will bring us the hope of our own family. This time next year this stuff may result in a baby on the way. We have waited so long (feels like forever for me), I am praying for continued patience. I know we can make it one more month. Now I will wait for the phone call that says our "stuff" has arrived. While we wait, I will be grateful for the hope that will arrive along with our "stuff".
January....so close I can practically touch it. We are ready for the new year and for all the changes we know it brings our lives.
Also...I promise this isn't a blog about infertility, but it is a blog about our lives....and this is what eats up a lot of us right now. If you don't like the infertility posts, I apologize....but be prepared for more of them in the coming months as our lives venture farther down this path.
*Our Stuff- this will probably consist of hormone shots and birth control and whatever other goodies they plan to pump into my body over the next couple of months.
Monday, December 6, 2010
All growed up
On this day (December 6th) in 2007 a litter of American Pit bull Terrier puppies was born in North Knoxville. Just over three months later Brandon and I would find ourselves (after a long day of looking at puppies) in the front yard of a house, surrounded by neighborhood children and puppies. Brandon and I met Chris, owner of Pritchett's Sydney, Dixie's mama. As soon as we met Chris and witnessed how much he loved Sydney, we knew we wanted a pup from this litter.
Inside the fenced yard of this little house, 3 or 4 puppies ran along side the neighborhood kids who had stopped by for a quick visit. Brandon and I knew we wanted a female dog to be the companion to Noah (our male). There were a few female options. Brandon had his eye on a little pup (one we now call Dixie), while I had my eye on a female with a giant head, who I assume grew up to be a big big girl. Brandon was sure his pup was the perfect fit for our family.....and he was right.
That night we brought Dixie home and introduced her to her new life and big brother, Noah. We were relieved that Dixie was instantly in love with Noah (although the same could not be said for Noah). I believe having a dog in the family already made Dixie's adjustment that much easier. She blended with our family almost immediately and now we can not imagine our home with out her.
Noah running for his life from Scary Dixie
Soaking up some sun on the back porch
Cuddled up together for a nap....she loved Noah the second she saw him
Dixie is an amazingly sweet dog. She loves all people! She is always happy and always eager. We laugh because sometimes you can hurt her feelings, and she will give you the cold shoulder....while looking back at you with sad eyes. She loves children more than anything and I know she will be in doggie heaven on earth when we finally have children. She is so different from Noah in terms of personalities, yet they are both great dogs.
Dixie can jump higher than any dog I know
We love her so much, our little Dixie-girl! Although we realize she is unaware that today is her birthday....we hope there will be many many more birthdays with this incredible pup!
She was so tiny when we brought her home
Our pretty girl!
** This post is dedicated to the loving memory of Lupe! May you always know how much your family loved you and that you will be greatly missed**
Inside the fenced yard of this little house, 3 or 4 puppies ran along side the neighborhood kids who had stopped by for a quick visit. Brandon and I knew we wanted a female dog to be the companion to Noah (our male). There were a few female options. Brandon had his eye on a little pup (one we now call Dixie), while I had my eye on a female with a giant head, who I assume grew up to be a big big girl. Brandon was sure his pup was the perfect fit for our family.....and he was right.
That night we brought Dixie home and introduced her to her new life and big brother, Noah. We were relieved that Dixie was instantly in love with Noah (although the same could not be said for Noah). I believe having a dog in the family already made Dixie's adjustment that much easier. She blended with our family almost immediately and now we can not imagine our home with out her.
Noah running for his life from Scary Dixie
Soaking up some sun on the back porch
Cuddled up together for a nap....she loved Noah the second she saw him
Dixie is an amazingly sweet dog. She loves all people! She is always happy and always eager. We laugh because sometimes you can hurt her feelings, and she will give you the cold shoulder....while looking back at you with sad eyes. She loves children more than anything and I know she will be in doggie heaven on earth when we finally have children. She is so different from Noah in terms of personalities, yet they are both great dogs.
Dixie can jump higher than any dog I know
We love her so much, our little Dixie-girl! Although we realize she is unaware that today is her birthday....we hope there will be many many more birthdays with this incredible pup!
She was so tiny when we brought her home
Our pretty girl!
** This post is dedicated to the loving memory of Lupe! May you always know how much your family loved you and that you will be greatly missed**
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